The Future is in Excellent Hands

In reading some recent papers, magazines and articles, I was pleasantly and overwhelmingly struck by the excellence that is being exhibited and achieved by so many young people from diverse backgrounds that does not gain the mainstream attention it deserves. In these cases, the academic and social leadership excellence that these young adults are demonstrating.

The first article is about the pursuit of excellence from a Morehouse graduate - and soon to be Harvard Law student.

Valedictorian To Achieve “Firsts” as Morehouse Man

May 14, 2018                                                               D. Aileen Dodd 

Derrick Parker is the kind of student that teachers always seem to remember—gifted, ambitious, and relentless in his pursuit of excellence. His parents would expect nothing less. They’ve had high hopes for him. 

The full story is here ...  https://www.morehouse.edu/newscenter/valedictoriantoachievefirstsasmorehouseman.html

The second is about the excellence and potential of a Maryland high school student who is destined for a Ivy League education - of his CHOICE. Undoubtedly, positioned for great academic success and a magnificent impact on the world around him.

Baltimore student accepted into all eight Ivy League colleges: 'I just felt extraordinary'

April 4, 2018                                                               Talia Richman - The Baltimore Sun

Mekhi Johnson, a senior at the Gilman School, is one of just a handful of students in the country to be accepted into all eight Ivy League schools. “I didn’t have words then, and I don’t have words now,” he said. “I just felt extraordinary.” Johnson also got into the University of Chicago, according to a news release from his all-boys prep school in the Roland Park neighborhood.

The Ivy League schools received more than 280,000 applications last year, with fewer than five students getting into all eight universities, according to the release. Johnson is the first Gilman student to achieve this. The chances of getting into any one of the Ivies are slim: Less than 5 percent of applicants got into Harvard this year, for example.

Thomas Johnson said her son is humble, and he hasn’t even posted about his accomplishment on Facebook. But plenty of his friends are celebrating his achievements, rushing to give him high-fives upon hearing the news. Johnson hopes to study political science and eventually attend law school. He said he wants to use the unique experiences he’s had to combat systemic racism.

The full story is here ...             https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/education/k-12/bs-md-ci-gilman-ivy-acceptance-20180404-story.html

These stories are on top of similar examples of academic excellence and future leader development by New York and New Jersey young adults, in recent years. Their stories are here ...    https://abc7ny.com/education/nj-teen-accepted-into-all-8-ivy-league-schools/1834018/     and https://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2014/04/ny_student_accepted_to_all_8_ivy_league_schools_offered_most_money_from_princeton.html

Let's celebrate their achievements, root for their continued success in their dreams & endeavors, and support them (and all the other dreamers of excellence in the Next Generation) whenever we can. Best wishes Derrick, Mekhi, Ifeoma and Kwasi!